Hi all! You probably know we champion a “vintage chic” design style, which we want to really look at more in depth today.

To us, vintage chic is synonymous with Slim Aarons, the famed mid-century photographer who made his career out of what he called “photographing attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places.” Ararons had this unique and amazing ability to capture everything we love about the ’50s and ’60s completely authentically—he wouldn’t use a stylist or a makeup artist. Actually, his daughter, Mary Aarons, did a little interview with Heather Clawson of Habitually Chic, and noted that:

“He prided himself in that! It would infuriate him if someone went to the hairdresser in anticipation of being shot. He wanted natural, unfussy, unposed etc. –and in homes…casual clothes…not formal ones.”

With Europe out from under the war and the jet age in full swing, glamorous people suddenly had access to new exotic places, and this began to inform and influence a new sense of style.

It was a fascinating time. People with the means and curiosity could engage new cultures like never before. They brought a deep respect for traditional manners and mores, which became infused with a layered, worldly, and sophisticated style. This juxtaposition of old and new brought about an entirely new design aesthetic and lifestyle that we love, and it’s called vintage chic.

Photos by Slim Aarons via photographersgallery.com